By Joseph Staszewski
Alexandra Yule has filled many roles during her career at Archbishop Molloy. The Columbia-bound senior got to perform in all of them during her final game as a high-school softball player.
Yule played excellent defense at shortstop, had two hits—including an RBI double—and scored a run. She also tossed a scoreless ninth inning to close out a 9-0 CHSAA victory over the PSAL in the Mayor’s Cup senior all-star game at the College of Staten Island June 12. It is the CHSAA’s fourth straight win in the annual contest.
“It’s kind of like how my four years have been, getting to do a little bit of both,” Yule said. A few of Yule’s Molloy teammates were also major contributors. Amanda Zeni started the game and tossed two scoreless innings. She struck out four, including the side in the second inning. Ally Klesin led off and played right field. She reached base twice and scored a run in the four-run first inning. Zeni said grabbing the lead took some pressure off pitching.
“It helped to get early runs,” Zeni said. “These are new girls that we haven’t really played against.”
Molloy and CHSAA head coach Maureen Rosenbaum was happy to send her seniors out as winners. The group helped lead the Briarwood school to the diocesan, city and Catholic state titles this season. “This is a big privilege to play in the Mayor’s Cup,” she said.
The early lead set the game’s tone. The CHSAA, which scored twice on a pair of PSAL errors, led 5-0 after two innings. Frank Sinatra ace Breanna Taphouse, who started the game for the public schools, had it rough at first, but got into a nice groove. She allowed six hits and struck out four over four innings.
St. Francis Prep’s Katie Saino tossed three scoreless frames. She allowed three hits and fanned two. Terriers teammate Kelly Licul collected a hit and scored a run. Construction’s Emily Perez did not allow a run in two innings in the circle and Jayleen Ovalles picked up a hit.
The CHSAA scored four runs in the eighth to put the game away. Despite the score, players on both sides enjoyed teaming up with girls who have been their rivals.
“It’s an honor to play on this type of team,” Yule said. “It’s nice to close our senior year out this way.”
